Phase 1 of southern Kansas wind farm up and running

Topeka  BP Wind Energy marks the start of full commercial operation of phase I at the Flat Ridge Wind Farm in southern Kansas.

State Treasurer Dennis McKinney on Thursday joined local elected officials, landowners and community leaders to announce the milestone at the facility in Barber County, near Medicine Lodge.

Phase I generates 100 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power about 30,000 average Kansas homes. Westar Energy and BP each own 50 megawatts of the energy generated by the wind farm. BP’s share has been sold to Westar under a long-term power purchase agreement.

Westar is also investing in two other wind farms, one in Cloud County near Concordia, the other in Wichita County near Leoti. The utility will purchase power from the Cloud County site and own and operate the Wichita County site.

Comments

Any way we can get a story about the wind power device that was put up on top of the gas station at 9th and Iowa?
I would love to know more about it, how much it cost, how much power it provides... things like that.

prowess, I think that type of wind generator is called a vertical axis wind turbine. Beyond that I don't know much about the one at the gas station. But I would like to see a story about it LJW... wink wink nudge nudge...

This means that 100 megawatts come onto the grid and off of the grid as the wind blows.
I wonder what coal-fired plant manages the variability when wind speed varies? Note that power out of a turbine is a function of wind speed cubed. This is a highly sensitive relationship. Either voltage varies a lot, or some coal-fired plant manager should get a raise. Especially if he is coal-fired.

What was the cost of energy (measured in joules) to build the system?

Note to LJW: when reporting on energy, ask the principals what the energy budget is regarding the system. How much energy did it cost? How much energy is needed to operate it? Maintain it?

Don't just buy the 100 megawatts data. This, of course is the peak production at .....probably 20mph wind speed.

Factor in a velocity cubed term. So at 10mph the output is 12.5 megawatts.

What is the expected duty cycle?
OK, no more jargon. What is the expected energy production over the lifetime of the plant? How much energy is needed to build it? Run it? Provide backup coal-fired generation when the wind doesn't blow?

LJW and the rest of you: You are being shined. Ask a pertinent question for once for god's sake!

Reportage by press release.
Does anyone at the LJW know anything about energy?
Defend yourself. the fluff is starting to get caught t in my throat.

It's not actually a press release. It's an AP wire story. Please address your reportage complaints to the Associated Press, since it is their story, not the LJW's. (I actually agree with you that a big organization like the AP should be able to do a more comprehensive job than a local city newspaper.)